It is Queens birthday weekend and we are in Bealy, just a few k's east of Arthur's Pass. After one night in Christchurch where we caught up with Sharon we drove to Sheffield. The best pie shop probably in the world. People sat outside in the sun, 10 am with beer in one hand and paper bag with pie in the other. We stopped- opted to sit inside swapped the beer for a latte and devoured curry vege pie (me) and lambs fry and bacon (carnivore). We came across Castle Hill and wandered up and down the hills and around the limestone rocks. We threw our bags in the little cabin and went for a drive to Otira. The keas said hello in the car park, fought me for a plastic bag that had blown out of the car then lost interest as we looked at the viaduct.
Next morning we headed off to do the Arthurs Pass track. Lots of snow, icy and treacherous steps and lots of potential for slipping over. Great fun, if not a bit slow. We also wandered around the village which didn't take long and went back to the cabin to thaw out. That night the rugby was on and I spent the 80 + minutes reading about Shrek the sheep living in the high country while the local crusader supporters drank happily and got louder and louder.
Next day we were off to Ashburton but spent the first few hours doing some more walking. First was Greyneys (beech forest and icicles), second Malley (along the Waimakariri river) and the last Bealey Spur (only half way -lots of icy mud and tree roots to climb over). The cloud came down and so the drive to Ashburton was as scenic as a soapy bath. There isn't a lot in this town to keep a tourist busy in the rain so in the morning we headed back to Christchurch and stayed indoors at the museum. Later managed a short walk in Riccarton bush before heading to the airport.
Next morning we headed off to do the Arthurs Pass track. Lots of snow, icy and treacherous steps and lots of potential for slipping over. Great fun, if not a bit slow. We also wandered around the village which didn't take long and went back to the cabin to thaw out. That night the rugby was on and I spent the 80 + minutes reading about Shrek the sheep living in the high country while the local crusader supporters drank happily and got louder and louder.
Next day we were off to Ashburton but spent the first few hours doing some more walking. First was Greyneys (beech forest and icicles), second Malley (along the Waimakariri river) and the last Bealey Spur (only half way -lots of icy mud and tree roots to climb over). The cloud came down and so the drive to Ashburton was as scenic as a soapy bath. There isn't a lot in this town to keep a tourist busy in the rain so in the morning we headed back to Christchurch and stayed indoors at the museum. Later managed a short walk in Riccarton bush before heading to the airport.
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